The CO2 reduction takes place on a metal catalyst at the opposite side of nitridesemiconductor photo-electrode.(See Fig. 1) The metal catalyst plays an important role in selecting and accelerating the reaction.
ENGADGET: Panasonic Photosynthesis System converts carbon dioxide to organic material with plant-like efficiency
2.
The system with a nitridesemiconductor and a metal catalyst generates mainly formic acid from CO2 and water with light at a world's top efficiency of 0.2%.
ENGADGET: Panasonic Photosynthesis System converts carbon dioxide to organic material with plant-like efficiency